Means for supporting and controlling gyratory structures.



G. W. Comes. MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AND CONTROLLING GYRATORY STRUCTURES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. II. I9II.

3- Patented Sept. 7, 1915.

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4? 6 4224M J i G. W. COMBSL MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AND CONTROLLING GYRATORY STRUCTURES. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 11. 1911.

Patented Sept. 7, 1915.

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' Application filed October 11,1911. Seria1No.654=,033. l i

citizen of the United States, residing at of a modified form of gyratory structure,

Leavenworth, in the county of'L'eavenworth and State of Kansas, haye invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Supporting and Controlling Gyratory Structures, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to'improvements in means for supporting and controlling gyratory structures, and my object is to provide novel means of this character for use in connection with gyratory structures employed in the separation of minerals, grain products,

. tending through the tubular hook 9 and the etc.

A further object is to provide apparatus of this character, which, while effective in operation, consists of but few, simple, parts devoid of heavy castings to render the apparatus portable, so that it can be readily taken down, or moved from place to place.

In order that the invention may be fully understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a slde elevation of a gyratory structure, with an embodiment of the invention adapted thereto. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on line IIII of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section of a universal coupling employed in carrying out the invention. Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section on line IV of Fig. 1, of a universal finger-coupling employed in carrying out the invention. Fig. 5 is a vertical section with an embodiment of a modified form of the invention adapted thereto. Fig. ,6 is a horizontal section on line VI--VI of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a plan View of a universal cou pling employed in carrying out the invention. Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical section on line VIIIVIII of Fig. 5.

The gyratory structure, in the present in stance, is shown in the formof a container or sifter 1, suspended by a frame 2, provided at its lower end with a friction-clamp '3, in which the sifter is demountably secured, so that others of different mesh can be readily substituted .therefor. Sifter 1 is supported, when clamp 3 is loose through the intermediacy of a plurality of brackets 4-, secured to the lower portion of said clamp.

Frame 2,-in the present instance, comprises three equally-spaced vertically -arranged members 5, three radially-disposed Specification of Letters Patent.

. Patented Sept. 7,1915.

horizontal members 6 uniting the upper ends of members 5, tliree radially-disposed horizontal members 7 uniting members 5 a suitable distance above the sifter 1, and a centrally-disposed fitting 8 uniting the inner ends of the horizontal members 6, see Fig. 1. The fitting 8 has an upwardly-projecting tubular hook 9, whereby the entire apparatus may be removably supported from arr overhead hook, or eye, not shown.

10 designates a driver consisting, in the present instance, of an electric motor sus pended from the fitting 8 by a shaft 11 and deriving its current from a suitable source (not shown) over' a flexible conductor 12, ex-

fitting 8, and communicating with said mo tor.

l3 designates a centrally-disposed vertically positioneo shaft yieldingly-connected to the driver 10 through the intermediacy of a universal finger-coupling 14;, having a plurality of arms 15 extending outward and upward and secured to the periphery of the driver 10. This universal finger-cow pling 14, while acting positively as a transmitter of rotary motion from driver 10 to the shaft 13, is sufficiently flexible to permit the shaft 13 to remain in a vertical position,

.should the driver 10 for any reason leave itstrue horizontal position.

Shaft 13, is journaled in an antifriction ball-and-socket bearing 16, it being support ed in proper relation to said bearingbyacap 17, secured to the shaft by a set-screw 18. This type of bearing prevents binding of the shaft therein, should said shaft for any reason leave a parallel position with members 5 of the frame 2. The self-adjusting member 19 of bearing 16 has anti-friction rollers 20 with which shaft 13 has contact, and the stationary socket-member 21 of said bearing is fixedly secured to the horizontal members 7 of frame 2.

22 designates an unbalanoing member secured to the lower terminal of shaft 13 by a set-screw 23, and provided at one side with removable weights 24, whereby one side. of

said member is made heavier than the other, so that it will impart a gyratory motion to the apparatus when said member 22 is rotated.

The operation briefly stated, is as follows: When the driver 10 is in motion it drives the shaft 13, which in turn rotates the unbalancing member 22. Said unbalancing member 22, by reason of being heavier on its Wei hted side, moves in an orbit, orgyrates W en rotated, and in turn gyrates frame 2 and the sifter 1. While frame 2 is free to move laterally in any direction, or gyrate, it is prevented from rotating with shaft 13 by the opposite sides of hook 9 contacting with the opposite sides of the hook or other supporting means, not shown.

The modified form disclosed by Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, embodies the same principle disclosed by the preferred form of invention, the chief diflerence being the form of sifter, which in the modified form is especially adapted for separating flour and other grain products. Referring in detail to said modified form, 1 desi ates a sifter. 2 designates a frame suspen ing said sifter and comprising a plurality of vertical members 5 and 5 united by a plurality of horizontal members 6, and a centrally-disposed fitting 8 'Member 5 is suspended from an overhead support 9, which carries the weight of the entire apparatus. 10 designates a driver fixed uponv a shaft 10 journaled in the support 9 and provided at one end with a bevel-gear 10 intermeshing with a bevel-gear 10 fixed to the upper end of a vertically positioned stub shaft 11 journaled in the support 9. 13 designates a centrally disposed vertically positioned shaft yieldingly connected to the stub-shaft 11 through the intermediacy of a finger coupling 14 which supports said shaft 13. The lower member 14 of the finger-coupling 14 is supported by a universal coupling 24, which yieldingly connects the member 5 of shaft 2 to the support 9. Shaft 13 is secured at its upper end to the member 14 of the universal finger-coupling and is journaled in bearings 25 and 26 at the upper and lower ends of the tubular member 5 through which the shaft extends. 22* designates an unbalancing member secured to the lower terminal of shaft 13 by a set-screw 23, and provided with weights 24: whereby one side of said member is made heavier than the other, so that it will impart yratory motion to the apparatus when saic? member 22 is rotated.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

operably-connected to said gyratory means.

2. The combination with a gyratory structure, suspending means therefor capable of lateral movement, a driven shaft independent of the structure but mounted in said suspending means, and means fixed to said shaft to impart gyratory motion thereto.

3. The combination with a gyratory structure, suspending means therefor capable of lateral movement, a drive shaft, and a selfadjusting bearing carrying said drive shaft and supported by the suspending means.

4. The combination with a gyratory structure, suspending means therefor capable of lateral or orbital movement, a driver independent of the structure and mounted on said suspending means, and a drive shaft independent of the structure and yieldingly connected to said driver and the suspending means.

5. The combination with a structure, suspending means therefor capable of lateral or orbital movement, a drive shaft independent of the structure and j ournaled in the suspending means, means mounted on said shaft to impart gyratory .motion thereto, and

means to prevent the suspending means from rotating with the drive shaft.

6. In combination, a vertical frame suspended from a single point for lateral movement in any direction, means for gyrating said frame, and a container supported by saidframe to gyrate therewith.

7. In combination, a vertical frame, one element supporting'said frame so that the same may move laterally in any direction, means for gyrating said frame, and a container supported by said frame to gyrate therewith.

8. In combination, a vertical frame, a centrally-disposed hook on said frame to freely support the same so that it may move laterally in any direction, means for gyrating said frame, and a container supported by said frame to gyrate therewith.

9. In combination, a frame suspended for lateral movement in any direction, a shaft mounted in said frame and supported thereby, means on said shaft to gyrate the frame,

and a container supported by said frame to gyrate therewith.

10. In combination, a frame supported for gyration, a container, a friction-clamp carried by the frame and adapted to firmly embrace said container, and brackets on said friction-clamp to support the container when released from the friction-clamp.

11. In combination, a frame supported 'for gyration from a single point, a container, and a flexible clamp on the frame to removably-secure said container thereto.

12. The combination with a gyratory structure, suspending means therefor capable of lateral movement in any direction, a self-adjusting bearing carried by said suspending means, a driven shaft journaled in said self-adjusting bearing, said shaft being independent of the gyratory structure, and an eccentric weight on said shaft to impart gyratory motion thereto.

riaaaae 13. In combination, a ratory structure, suspending means there or capable of lateral movement in any direction, a self adjusting bearin carried by said suspending means, a sha t journaled in said bearing, means on said shaft to impart gyratory motion to the suspending means, a motor mounted in the suspending means, and a yielding connection between said motor and the shaft whereby the latter is driven by the former.

14:. In combination, a gyratory structure, and one element which performs the dual function of freely suspendin said structure and preventing the same rom rotating.

15. In combination, a container free to move laterally in any direction, and one element which performs the dual function of freely suspending said container and preventing the same from rotating. 16. In combination, a freely swinging frame, a sieve mounted therein, a motor mounted on said frame, and means actuated by said motor toimpart motion to the frame.

17. In combination, a container, supporting means for said container, and means connected to said supporting means to actuate the same.

18. In combination, a container, means embracing said container to removably hold the name a s'nport for said embracin means capable I lateral movement, It means for actuatmg said support.

19. In combination, a contamer free supporting means for said structure, ae-' tuatlng means for said supporting means, a driver for said actuating-means, and power transmission devices operably-connecting said driver and the actuating m.

21. A container free to move laterally in any direction, adjustable means to hold said container, a support for said adjustable means, and means for actuating said support.

22. In combinatioma container 'free to move laterally in any direction, and supporting means carried from a single point and perfog the dual function ct supportin said container and preventing the same rom rota. y

In testimonyiwhereof I afix my signature,

, in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE W. COMES. 

